I am not familiar with wedges, need a little help.

[tws1098]

If YOU were going to demo/buy a new wedge or two, which ones would you be looking at? I need to fill a gap, but have no idea where to start. It seems that Vokey and Cleveland wedges are popular, how are Mizunos and the other major brands?

[groovezilla79]

Vokey's and Clevelands are normally the standard. However, the newer Mizuno's will be my next pickup after hitting my playing partners 52 and 60. I currently use the Taylormade TP Satins which I went with because I was a brand ••••• for a while.

[ks8829]

I love my Mizuno wedges and make sure you have the correct bounce for your wedges as well as the degree loft. The Mizuno are forged and have a nice feel to them.

[peter draggin]

Definitely look at a Scratch wedge

[J_Bone]

Definitely look at a Scratch wedge

Why do they cost so much?

[tws1098]

Can someone explain bounce a little better to me? I have read some things about it, but don't know enough to choose one over another. I would say I play on pretty average courses in terms of firmness of greens, sandtraps, etc. I would be looking for a 54* or a 52 and 56* or a 52 and 58* (if dumping my 60*)

[BonoVox]

Can someone explain bounce a little better to me? I have read some things about it, but don't know enough to choose one over another. I would say I play on pretty average courses in terms of firmness of greens, sandtraps, etc. I would be looking for a 54* or a 52 and 56* or a 52 and 58* (if dumping my 60*)

I am sure someone will give you a technical explanation.

(not counting GAP wedge) I like to have two wedges, one with low bounce and one with moderate bounce. For me the 56* moderate, 60* low. Just thinking bounce, 56* is used on normal conditions (nice sand, fluffy rough, chipping on spongy fairways) 60* is used for (hard packed anything)

[J_Bone]

Keep the 60*....then add a 50* or 52* depending on your Pitching Wedge. Then add a 54* or 56* too.
Bounce will help from NOT digging into the ground. If it's soft like a bunker, more bounce will help hit the ball out higher. If you have less bounce, then it will dig in more and not bounce it out as high. Same goes for the type of turf you play on. Firm-less bounce, soft- more bounce.

[jamo]

Why do they cost so much?

They don't. Forged Scratch wedges are $150 (alright, that's a little much), but cast Scratch wedges are $100, which is less than Vokeys and Clevelands:

http://www.scratchgolf.com/wedges/8620-milled/ And they are customizable. You really can't go wrong with any of the major brands: Vokey, Cleveland, Nike, Mizuno, Ping, Callaway, etc... Or there are smaller companies that make some really good wedges. See Scratch and Solus. FWIW I have a Vokey 54* that I love and a 60* Mizuno that performs well but I don't recommend because it is forged and has worn out rather quickly. I do however play a lot, so it forged wedges might last longer for someone who doesn't. When I decide to replace the Mizuno it will be with either another Vokey or a Scratch.

[Outfoxed]

Try the Nike Victory wedges. Very reasonably priced and have great feel.

[Gibby]

I'd recommend Nike SV Tour wedges or Callaway X-Forged wedges. They are both going for $70 a piece i believe at Golfsmiths and Golf Galaxies. I went with Nike SV Tour Wedges at the beginning of the year to replace some old Purespin Wedges. I'm satisfied. They look and feel great, and the spin decent. At the price, they're both really solid options. I've also heard only the best feedback from Adams Tom Watson 3-Wedge packs for $90 which you could give a look.

In my opinion there isn't much variation on the different brands of wedges as there are in say, irons. Most of it wll come down to if you like the look and feel of the wedge. Besides brand new Vokeys, most wedges are going to get similar amounts of spin. Get what you can be confortable with, and don't feel that you necesarily need to shell out $120 for a Vokey or CG15

-Gibby

[tws1098]

I'd recommend Nike SV Tour wedges or Callaway X-Forged wedges. They are both going for $70 a piece i believe at Golfsmiths and Golf Galaxies. I went with Nike SV Tour Wedges at the beginning of the year to replace some old Purespin Wedges. I'm satisfied. They look and feel great, and the spin decent. At the price, they're both really solid options. I've also heard only the best feedback from Adams Tom Watson 3-Wedge packs for $90 which you could give a look.

Yeah the price of some of these wedges is crazy. When My whole set up to this point has cost me about $400 it becomes hard to justify $200 for a couple wedges. I am glad you mentioned the Tom Watson wedges, anyone have experience with these?

[zeg]

I have a Tom Watson 56 (13 bounce) that's ok. It is fine out of the sand, and I hit it very well for chips/etc. I don't find I get a lot of spin with it, though I'm not terribly concerned with that (not sure whether this is me or the club). It has a very light feel to it, especially compared to the Vokeys which feel very heavy to me. I'd see if you can find one to swing. If not, go ahead and get 'em---the sand wedge at least will be as good as anything else out of the sand, and 3 of them are cheaper than one of anyone else's.

[alomar123]

I was at galaxy and had two Cleveland wedges(slightly used) and one spin milled vokey in my hands, but I could not justify buying the vokey for $120, while I got the two cleves for $60

[WUTiger]

For

tws1098 -

Good advice from Gibby: I'd recommend Nike SV Tour wedges or Callaway X-Forged wedges. They are both going for $70 a piece i believe at Golfsmiths and Golf Galaxies.

Cleveland CG12 and CG14 models are about $90 now. Also, Mizuno came out with new models, and earlier ones are about $70 each. Also, consider the Adams Watson wedge three-pak - if they haven't all sold out, three for about $100.

Can someone explain bounce a little better to me?

Club designer Ralph Maltby explains bounce in his column on

wedge playability : http://www.ralphmaltby.com/50

[alomar123]

My general rule with bounce is if you take a strong divot the higher the bounce the better.

[MikeBuch]

Can someone explain bounce a little better to me? I have read some things about it, but don't know enough to choose one over another. I would say I play on pretty average courses in terms of firmness of greens, sandtraps, etc. I would be looking for a 54* or a 52 and 56* or a 52 and 58* (if dumping my 60*)

From my understanding. . .

Bounce angle is the angle formed by your wedge's leading edge, trailing edge, and the ground. Scratch golf has a simple diagram explaining this (see top diagram here) A greater bounce angle is usually best for softer courses and players with a steeper attack angles. A smaller bounce angle is usually better for firmer courses and players with a shallower attack angles. Greater bounce generally decreases the likelihood you will hit it fat and increases the likelihood you will hit it thin. The reverse is true for smaller bounce angles.

[tws1098]

Well, I went ahead and bought a Giga Golf SGS 56* wedge. I can always return it, and I have heard good things. Once I get better maybe I will move up tot a Vokey or Cleveland. Thanks for the input guys.